ADL Hails Senate Condemnation of Anti-Semitism in Europe

New York, NY, June 5, 2015 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today applauded the overwhelming passage of a Senate resolution, which condemns anti-Semitism and urges measures to prevent and combat anti-Semitic attacks and incidents. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) led the effort with the support of more than half of the Senate -- 53 original co-sponsors total.

The resolution (S.Res.87) is a response to the escalation of attacks against Jewish communities across Europe and urges the U.S. to work closely with the European Union, governments, and international organizations to address anti-Semitism with specific recommendations to enhance their response. In the resolution, the Senators highlight the findings of ADL’s Global 100 Index of Anti-Semitic Attitudes, a poll of public attitudes in more than 100 countries which found more than one-quarter of the world’s population harbors deeply entrenched anti-Semitic attitudes.

“We hope that leaders across Europe will heed this call and agree to come together and work with the United States to push back against the rising tide of anti-Semitism,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “By doing so, they will show the world that violence and hatred will not be tolerated.”

“The Senate has tremendously elevated U.S. leadership on this pressing issue,” said Barry Curtiss-Lusher, ADL National Chair. “A special thanks are in order to Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) who have so fervently rallied around combatting anti-Semitism around the world.”

ADL is the world’s leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education, and fighting hate online, ADL is the first call when acts of anti-Semitism occur. ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate.

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